AMMAN — Operations carried out by Israeli occupation forces against the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jerusalem, including storming, seizure and violations of UN facilities, constitute a “blatant” breach of international law and a direct challenge to the UN system and its standing, according to the Royal Committee for Jerusalem Affairs.

 

In remarks to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Thursday, Secretary-General of the Committee Abdullah Kanaan said that targeting UNRWA’s Jerusalem office is a serious escalation that cannot be separated from ongoing Israeli attempts to undermine the agency’s role and force it out of the city.

 

Kanaan stressed that these actions are part of broader efforts to dismantle UNRWA’s services, weaken its presence and ultimately “liquidate the refugee issue”, which he described as a central pillar of the conflict and a core historical right of the Palestinian people since 1948.

 

He said the pretexts offered by the occupation authorities to justify the raid are unlawful and lack any legal or humanitarian basis, noting that the move is consistent with a systematic policy targeting international institutions operating in Jerusalem.

 

These unilateral measures, he added, seek to impose new facts on the ground in direct violation of international laws and conventions that prohibit obstructing or infringing upon the work of UN bodies.

 

Kanaan emphasised that the Hashemite custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, remains a firm barrier against attempts to alter the city’s historical and legal status.

 

He warned that targeting international institutions in Jerusalem undermines the humanitarian and legal role that UNRWA plays in safeguarding refugee rights and providing essential services in education, health and relief.

 

Kanaan called on the international community, the United Nations and the Security Council to assume their responsibilities and take immediate, practical measures to halt such violations, ensuring UNRWA’s ability to carry out its vital work without obstruction or threats.

 

He also described the agency as an essential pillar in protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees and maintaining humanitarian stability in the region.